Electrolysis of alkali chlorids or alkali-earth chlorids.



A. CLEMIW,

ELECTROEYSIS OPALKALI CHLORIDS 0R ALKALI EARTH CHLORIDS.

APPLICATION FILED ocT. 16. 1913.

W Patented Nov. 16, 1915.

barren salaries rarianr ADOLF CLEMM, OE MANNHEIMI, GERMANY.

ELECTROLYSIS 0F ALKAIiI CHLORIDS OR ALKALI-EARTH CHLORIDS.

Application filed October 16, 1913.

ing diaphragms only what are known as filter diaphragms have hitherto been used the said diaphragms being such as to allow not only the passage therethrough of the ions of the electrolyte but also the passage of the liquid under a pressure of a few centimeters with a velocity regulatable within certain limits.

Hitherto vertical diaphragms have only been durable with small currents and when it was wished to employ a high current with vertical diaphragms durability had to be renounced and a large amount of corrosion occurred at the carbon cathodes mostly used. It has not hitherto been possible to employ high currents with vertical diaphragms, and still for them to be durable.

The object of my invention is to render this possible, it providing vertical diaphragms which, while possessing the known advantages of vertical diaphragms differ from those already known in that on the side presented toward the anode the diaphragm is not attackable by either chlorin, or hydrochloric acid while on the side presented toward the cathode it is not attackable by alkali. This diaphragm therefore, on account of its great durability renders it possible to work with an acid anolyte and a very high current efliciency to be obtained.

An example of a diaphragm made in accordance with this invention is shown in vertical transverse section in the aceompanying drawing.

A powdered material which is not attacked by either chlorin, or hydrochloric acid, or by alkali, is supported so as to con stitute' avertical partition by supports of Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Nov. 1%. 1915.

Serial No. 795,482.

suitable shape which, on the cathode side are of a material capable'of resisting alkali,

and on the anode side, are of a material capable of resisting chlorin and hydrochloric acid. The construction illustrated is given only as an example, to which I do not limit myself. The powder which is not attacked by either chlorin, 0r hydrochloric acid, or alkali (for instance barium sulfate in the form of barytes) is held in. position on the cathode side by a material a which is not attacked by alkali, for instance, asbestos fabric. On the anode side the powder I) is held in position by a jalousie-like arrangement of parts 0, which consist of material preferably strong enough even if thin and capable of resisting corrosion by chlorin, or acids, a suitable material being for instance either glass, or ebonite or stoneware, or the like, but it is preferable to employ a material pervious to the current.

The electrolysis with the new diaphragm takes place in such a manner that the electrolyte flows in a uniform current from the anode space through the diaphragm into the cathode space; the velocity of'the passage depending of course on the hydroxid concentration of the catholyte, By using the described diaphragms it is easy to electrolyze alkali chlorids and earth alkali chlorids so as to obtain highly concentrated hydroxid lyes, and high yields with economy in current while there is obtained the great advantage of eirtraordinary durability in addition to the acknowledged advantages of vertical diaphragms.

In lieu of the form, or arrangement, of supports illustrated, any other suitable form, or arrangement, may be used.

- I claim:

Means for the electrolysis of solutions of alkali chlorids and alkali earth chlorids, said means consisting of a compartment for the anode and containing the chlorids to be electrolyzed; a compartment for the cathode and containing the alkali to be prepared; and a vertical diaphragm between said compartments and pervious to the electrolyte and through which the electrolyte passes in the direction from the anode to the cathode, said diaphragm comprising a powder capable of resisting the action of chlorin 0t hydrochloric acid or alkali, and supports by In testimony whereof, I have signed my which the powder is held in vertical posiname to this specification in the presence of tion, said su ports being on the cathode side two subscribing witnesses.

of a materia capable of resisting the action DR. ADOLF CLEMM. of alkali, and on the anode side of action of Witnesses: chlorin and hydrochloric acid; as herein- GIEB FIRKOB, before explained. S. S. BERGER.

Copies of this patent inay be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the "Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. C. 

